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Telecommuters More Likely to Take Part in Leisure Activities

Consumers who telecommute for a living are more likely to engage in a variety of leisure-time activities than all US adults, according to data from Mediamark Research & Intelligence (MRI).

Telecommuters are 54% more likely to entertain friends or relatives at home two or three times a month, and they are 40% more likely to barbecue 2-3 times per month.

Some 14% of telecommuters exercise at a club two or more times weekly, and 12% dine out two or more times per week.

There are 4.3 million telecommuters in the United States, accounting for some 2% of the adult population, according to the MRI data. A telecommuter is defined as someone who works primarily from home as a company employee.

“It’s clear that while telecommuters don’t necessarily get to bond in person with their fellow workers, they seem to enjoy more flexibility when it comes to certain leisure pursuits,” said Anne Marie Kelly, vice-president of marketing and strategic planning at MRI.

About the data: MRI interviews approximately 26,000 U.S. adults in their homes each year, asking about their use of media, their consumption of products and their lifestyles and attitudes.  The company releases data from Survey of the American Consumer (adults 18+) twice yearly, in the spring and fall. MRI is part of GfK Group AG, Nuremberg, Germany.